Special need

The Lawrence Humane Society deserves the community's support, especially as it seeks to care for 187 new charges.

The Lawrence Humane Society staff once again is displaying the compassion and caring that should make this community proud.

Staff members at the shelter worked through the night Wednesday to process and care for 187 dogs and cats brought to the shelter by Miami County officials. The animals had been seized from a rural residence in southern Miami County. Some of the 112 dogs and 75 cats were in rough shape. Most of the cats were sick, according to Humane Society Director Midge Grinstead, and a number of the dogs had mange.

The Humane Society shelter shows its compassion for animals every day – it already was sheltering 720 orphaned animals before the Miami County animals arrived – but when almost 200 animals needed care and shelter from a Kansas winter, the local staff was ready to step in.

Anyone who cares about animals or has a pet in their lives has to appreciate the difficult job the shelter has taken on. The community can support their efforts with donations of pet food, supplies and money. This week’s influx of animals has created a special need, but this is an agency that deserves residents’ year-round help and support.